The International Tyre Club (ITC), founded in 2001 to provide an annual business forum for industry professionals to meet together regularly and cost-effectively, says it has already received much interest in its 2009 Club Summit. According to the ITC, traders and wholesalers from a dozen countries are already lined up to attend the Club’s ITC 2009 event, one of the very first in next year’s business calendar.
On September 28 Dunlop reached a milestone worthy of celebrating – its 200th consecutive MotoGP 250cc Grand Prix victory. As the checkered flag greeted Marco Simoncelli across the line at the Motegi circuit in Japan, it marked an historic event in motorcycle racing that began with Max Biaggi’s Japanese 250cc Grand Prix win in 1996.
Since Biaggi’s victory at the Suzuka circuit 12 years ago, every race in this category has been won on Dunlop tyres. Win number 50 came with Valentino Rossi at the 1999 British GP, Marco Melandri scored number 100 at Brno in 2002, whilst Casey Stoner delivered the 150th in Malaysia in 2005. In all, thirty-three riders and five constructors have enabled Dunlop to reach its double century.
Marangoni Tyre is promoting its new “Intelligence Quotient” corporate identity. The new global imagery builds on the striking “Intelligence” theme that has been successfully employed in the brand’s Italian home market, across Europe and internationally.
“This new identity will ensure considerably stronger trade and consumer recognition for the Marangoni brand, with continued focus on the Intelligence theme. Customers will relate to the brand being communicated through the new Intelligence Quotient ideology – delivering European quality and performance at a price that is genuinely affordable…From a retailer standpoint, the decision to stock Marangoni is clearly an intelligent one and customers will relate to this…For consumers, Marangoni promises quality and performance matched with exceptional value and a buying decision that represents a truly intelligent choice. Higher quality and performance for a lower cost is certainly a compelling sales argument!” Derek Carruthers – global sales and marketing director (Marangoni Car Tyre) commented.
Solideal Group has announced that it will increase prices on tyres in Europe by 7-8 per cent. The new prices will take effect in October and November 2008. Solideal increased prices earlier this year due to continuous increases in Raw materials, which went beyond the group’s expectations. The company reports that it has attempted to absorb some of the increased raw material cost through increasing production efficiencies and research and development costs, however, Solideal says that it is forced to recover some of the recent cost increases.
When the new Jaguar XKR-S hit the streets of Europe, it will be a very rare beast indeed. Only 200 of this exclusive model are being built, 50 of which will be sold in the UK. The XKR-S is powered by Jaguar’s acclaimed 4.2 litre V8 supercharged engine – tuned to develop 416 Bhp and a peak torque of 560Nm – XKR-S has been developed for the true Jaguar enthusiast. An exhaust system for this formidable motor can be supplied by Quicksilver: The new catalyst-back ‘Sports’ exhaust system, designed to give this cat a roar – when desired.
Nokian’s product range has grown with the addition of the Nokian HT SUV, a summer tyre intended for urban use 4×4 vehicles. The HT SUV is, says the manufacturer, most at home on asphalt roads, however it is said to also function excellently off on “twisty small roads” and “tracks that are covered in sand and gravel and difficult to drive on.” The T and H speed rated range will be available in a wide range of sizes covering all popular 4x4s sold in Europe, with sales starting in the spring of 2009.
When Scorpion brought the first T304 stainless steel performance exhaust system to the market back in 1992, it caused a stir, to say the least. From this solid start the company has rapidly grown to become one of the world’s largest exhaust manufacturers, with distributors in every continent and products available in over 30 countries. Scorpion has achieved this by working closely with some of the most respected names in the industry, including Citroen and Peugeot Motorsport, Subaru, Toyota and Prodrive. The company also closely values its ties with smaller tuning concerns and independent retailers as an invaluable source of technical feedback and market information. Over 95 per cent of all production is still handled in the UK, much of it by precision hand fabrication.
Continental reports that its tyres have faired very well in a number of winter tests. Specifically, experts from the Germany’s ADAC automotive association, from the Stiftung Warentest consumer reporting institute, from the ÖAMTC (the Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club), from the TCS (the Swiss Touring Club) and from two of Germany’s leading motoring magazines, “AutoBild” and “auto motor und sport” compared the ContiWinter-Contact TS 800, TS 810 and TS 830 against over sixty competitive tyres. The result of this host of tests, reports Conti, was glowing: All Continental products received the highest ratings assigned – “highly recommended”, “exemplary” or “good”. Furthermore, each of the test committees emphasised Continental’s position with regard to safety-relevant criteria and performance on wet roads.
Yasushi Takagi, a 27-year veteran of Toyo, was recently appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. As EVP and COO, Takagi will work with staff in all departments to continuously evaluate sales and marketing efforts in the U.S. and create plans for the future.
“Mr. Takagi brings with him extensive knowledge and understanding of Toyo’s global vision,” said Masaharu Yoshimoto, president and CEO of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “This insight and strategic thinking is extremely important as we continue to grow the Toyo brand in the United States. We are very happy to have him join us.”
From January 2006 to August 2008, Takagi served as general manager of Toyo’s corporate planning department. In this role, he coordinated with all entities of Toyo. He outlined strategies and set goals for global expansion by the company’s 70th anniversary in 2015. He also played a key role in negotiating the recent business alliance with Bridgestone Corp. Prior to January 2006, Takagi held several international positions while in Europe for nearly 20 years, including director of Toyo Tyre (U.K.) and president of Toyo Reifen GmbH (Germany). (Tire Review/Akron)
Goodyear Dunlop has signed a ‘substantial’ fleet deal with Translinc, the UK’s leading provider of specialist fleet management and passenger services to local authorities, schools, health authorities and public sector clients. The deal includes all tyre orders for Translinc’s 2700 strong fleet of vans and trucks being looked after by Goodyear Dunlop’s TruckForce service network.
The contract includes the latest Goodyear Max Technology tyre that reduces cost per mile through improving fuel consumption and mileage with the help of low rolling resistance and innovative design. Supplying a variety of vehicles, from car derived vans to large refuse trucks, the majority on a contract hire with maintenance basis, TransLinc required a bespoke, cost effective tyre package to its customers.
Michelin Group is reportedly planning to invest roughly 30 million euros in expanding its production adjacent logistics operation in Poland. The expansion, which will take place in the Warmia-Mazury special economic zone, will reportedly see the company occupy a total of 177 hectares of the zone, according to the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PALiLZ). According to Michelin, a 20 per cent rise in automotive production in Eastern Europe during the first half of 2008 boosted growth in original equipment tyre demand.
Hankook’s Optimo 4S has received the best ratings in an all-season tyre test by Auto Bild, the German car magazine, with testers acknowledging “top driving performance under any weather conditions”. The company says that the “exemplary” rating of the tyre substantiates Hankook’s claim to premium standards in its products. The Optimo 4S is also the only tyre in the world to receive the German Federal Environmental Agency’s prestigious Blue Angel mark, attributed because of the tyre’s reduced road and rolling noise, as well as helping to reduce fuel consumption by up to five per cent.
Hankook is – According to the US-Magazine Modern Tire Dealer (Jan. 2008) – currently the seventh largest and fastest growing tire manufacturer in the world, and the company is keen to emphasise the “landmark” nature of the results of the tests by Auto Bild, Europe’s largest automobile magazine. Eight all-season-products from various makers were tested on a VW Golf with the dimensions 195/65 R 15 T/H/V. The Optimo 4S (standing for four seasons), was – according to Auto Bild’’s editor – the only tested tyre “that outperforms in any kind of weather”. He also praised its “dynamic handling quality on snow-covered roads as well as short braking distances on wet as well as dry courses,” making the tyre one of only two to receive the magazine’s “exemplary” rating.
Any idea Michelin has of purchasing Continental AG’s tyre business will most likely die quietly, as analysts have poured cold water on the possibility that such an arrangement would be permitted. A number of analysts have been quick to point out that a purchase of Conti’s tyre business would be seen frowned upon; it would, after all, leave the resultant company holding 40 per cent of the European passenger car tyre market and more than half of the truck tyre market. Michael Punzet, an analyst with DZ Bank, commented to Forbes that the European Commission would thus most likely not give approval as it would break competition rules.
Continental AG has made a number of personnel changes in its Passenger and Light Truck Tires division. On September 1, Nikolai Setzer took over management of the replacement passenger and light truck tyre market for Europe and Africa. He is also responsible for worldwide marketing of the Passenger and Light Truck Tire division. Setzer had been in charge of the worldwide original equipment business for passenger and light truck tyres. In his new position he will report to Continental AG’s vice chairman of the Executive Board, Dr Alan Hippe, who is also responsible for the Passenger and Light Truck Tire division.
Michelin is reportedly closing its Baldovie factory in Dundee for a week to counter a drop in demand, however the company stresses that workers will still be paid and the factory’s future remains secure. This shutdown will begin on October 13, and will be followed by further, shorter stoppages in November and December. The aim of these stoppages at the 23,000 unit per day plant is to reduce the number of stockpiled tyres the company is currently holding, and the first closure ties in with the school holidays. Staff training will occur during the subsequent stoppages.
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